Yesterday is forever gone. We cannot retrieve a single spoken word, nor recover one unkind deed. Tomorrow is only a promise. Today is all we have, so let us be sure to give it our best because it just could be our last day on earth.

Most of us are busy making a living, but we must be sure that making a living does not keep us from making a life. A life that helps our neighbors and brings “peace on earth and good will toward all men,” both friend and foe.

Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where thieves cannot break through or steal.” (Matthew 6:20). A good word and a kind deed will make the world a better place and lay up treasures for you that will last forever. Everything else we do is temporary.

“Kindness is a tree under which all humanity finds shelter from the storms of life,” someone once wrote.

There is no substitute for good deeds and kind words. When these things are neglected, the world becomes more cruel, bitter and cold. When they are practiced, the entire world finds joy, and listening hope can hear the whispers of God and the rustle of angel wings.

We will never have peace on earth until we have the love of God in our hearts and practice kindness on our journey.

Someone asked: “What is the real and authentic good in our world?”

“Order,” answered the court. “Knowledge,” said the school. “Truth,” said the wise man. “Riches,” said the fool. “Love,” said the maiden. “Beauty,” said the page. “Freedom,” said the dreamer. “Home,” said the sage.

My heart full of sadness said, “The answer is not here!”

Softly within my soul this I heard: “Each heart holds the secret: and ‘kindness’ is the word.”

Never let the sun go down without an encouraging word or a kind deed for a fellow pilgrim. Our motive for a kind word and good deed should always be to help someone without the thought of receiving any reward.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and ye shall be the children of the highest: For He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 7:34,35)

Charles Pollock said, “I’ve seen bread cast upon the waters and watched it returned, buttered, covered with honey and jam, wrapped in paraffin paper, tied with a ribbon covered with sugar and marked, ‘With love.’ ”

A generous philanthropist was once asked, “How is it that you are able to give so much to help others and at the same time your wealth seems to grow?” He answered thoughtfully: “Well, I just keep shoveling it out and God keeps shoveling it in, and God’s shovel is much larger than mine. It seems the more I give the more I get back.”

Robert V. Ozment is a retired United Methodist minister.